I’m a fellow name enthusiast. I recently watched From Time to Time (2009). It’s based on a children’s book series from the 1950s.

It was a charming little movie. I recommend it! Great cast. Two characters had names that sent me straight to your site for answers, but none were to be found! Have you ever heard of these boys names–Toseland (Tolly for short) and Sefton? Do they have any meaning or historical significance, or do you think they were made up by the author?

Thanks!

Laura J.

Dear Laura,

Toseland and Sefton are both classic British surnames used for these characters. Both the -land and -ton suffix were used to indicate locations, meaning “land” and “town” accordingly. Families with those surnames came from those places. Toseland was recorded as Touleslund in 1220, literally translating to “Toli’s Grove.” Toli being a personal name or family name. Sefton is comprised of the Old Norse “sef” which means rush and translates to “the settlement where rushes grew.”